Gareth Southgate has spoken on the Football Association's call to ask Harry Kane not to wear the 'OneLove' rainbow armband for England's World Cup opener against Iran.
The FA was one of seven World Cup associations that planned to use the rainbow-coloured armband — a message against discrimination in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal - during the tourament.
But in a joint-statement just hours before England's opening game, the FA, along with the other European nations who had signed up to the campaign – which included Wales – confirmed the armbands will no longer be worn due to fear of a yellow card being issued.
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FIFA has strict rules about apparel that can be worn by players and the armband is not allowed under the code. It meant Kane may have faced an immediate booking if he walked out wearing the 'OneLove' band.
Instead, the Tottenham Hotspur forward walked out for the game wearing the FIFA approved captain’s armband. Each will promote a different social message throughout the tournament.
And when asked about the call post-match, Southgate said: "The armband is not something the players or myself have been involved in the last 24 hours.
"The discussions have been ongoing between several European nations and FIFA. I understand FIFA’s situation in that you can set a precedent and where do you draw a line.
“In an ideal world that would be a much clearer situation much earlier but we had to focus on the football. People know what we stand for."
England got their World Cup campaign in Qatar off to a flying start as the Three Lions roared to a 6-2 victory against Carlos Quieroz's side.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka scored twice as Southgate's side strolled to a comfortable win at the Khalifa International Stadium. Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling were also on target as were substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish.
"Our job over the course of this week was to concentrate on the football and the players did that well,” Southgate replied when asked for his thoughts at full-time.
“The first half was a bit sticky with the long stoppage for the goalkeeper but we really used the ball well and our attacking threat was there for everyone to see.
"By the end we looked sloppy but just before the end we were pretty good. I have said to the players I have to balance how I feel because we dominated the game and there were so many good performances.
“But equally we cannot concede two goals in the manner we did. I understand we had a lot of injury time and we started to drift but we have to be so on it against the States so we have other levels we can go to."
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